South Africa v India: Vernon Philander leads fightback

Vernon Philander

Vernon Philander helped South Africa fight back from a batting collapse on day two of the first Test with India.

The Proteas slipped from 130-1 to 145-6 in Johannesburg before an unbeaten 48 from Philander saw them recover to 213-6 at the close - 67 runs behind.

Ishant Sharma (3-64) and Mohammed Shami (2-48) did the damage for India.

Philander had earlier moved on to 99 Test wickets as he finished the pick of South Africa's bowling attack with 4-61 as India were dismissed for 280.

The tourists had resumed on 255-5 following Virat Kohli's century on day one, but could only add another 25 runs to their overnight total as Philander and Morne Morkel (3-34) ruthlessly polished off the tail.

India fast bowler Ishant Sharma celebrates capturing the wicket of South Africa's Hashim Amla

South Africa captain Graeme Smith and Hashim Amla gave the hosts a solid platform following the early departure of Alviro Petersen (21) as they added 93 for the second wicket.

But the loss of Amla, bowled by India paceman Sharma for 36 after he shouldered arms, sparked a top-order collapse as the Proteas lost five wickets in just 39 deliveries.

Out-of-form Jacques Kallis, who averages 16 in Tests this year, went for a second-ball duck to Sharma lbw shortly afterwards.

India then got the key wicket of Smith (68) when he was trapped plumb in front to an inswinger from left-arm paceman Zaheer Khan, while rookie seamer Shami made his mark when JP Duminy edged to first slip while the dangerous AB De Villiers was given lbw two balls later.

All-rounder Philander steadied the ship, though, as he closed in on his third Test half-century and will resume on day three with Faf du Plessis (17 not out).